Open-air amusement device.



No. 802,198. PATENTED OCT. 17, 1905. J. W. COHLEY.

OPEN AIR AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED 0GT.14,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 802,198. PATENTED OUT. 17, 1905. J. W. OORLEY.

UPEN AIR AMUSEMENT DEVICE...

APPLIUATION FILED 0GT.14,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 No. 802,198. PATENTED OCT. 17, 1905.

' J. W. GORLEY.

OPEN AIR AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION rum) 0OT.14,1904.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3 m somwa. PATBNTED 0013.17, 1905.

- J. w. GORLEY.

OPEN AIR AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 001*.14,19o4.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

JOHN WESLEY CORLEY, OF NEVt YORK, N. Y;

OPEN-"INN AMUSEMENT DIEVWDE.

its. 802,198.

Specification of Letters Patept.

Patented Oct. 17, 1905.

Application filed October 14, 1904. Serial No. 228,381.

To a, 11/71/0122 it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN WESLEY CouLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Open- Air Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to open-air amusement devices, and is designed, in effect, to afford a rotatable observatory having a plurality of platforms which may be devoted to various forms of entertainment, the rotation of the observatory as a whole presenting a continuous change of view which may be enjoyed from various altitudes at the pleasure of the visitor. it is also designed to afford shade and shelter and otherwise administer to the comfort and convenience of the visitor, at the same time eliminating all danger of accident, or at least reducing the possibility thereof to the minimum degree without detracting from the pleasurable sensation to be derived from the motion and speed of rotation.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts herein described and claimed specifically, whereby certain definite results and advantages are attained. Thus my observatory or pleasure-wl'ieel may-be rotated continuously without stopping for the admission of visitors, who can enter or leave freely at any time.

Another distinguishing feature of my construction is the use of a plurality of annular platforms around a common hollow shaft, communication being had from one platform to another by means of a spiral stairway or by an elevator in said shaft.

Still another feature of novelty consists in utilizing the upper part of the hollow central shaft for the accommodation of an elevator by means of which communication can be had with an upper balcony, the extension of the hollow shaft above the plurality of broader annular entertainmerit-platforms constituting an observation-tower the top of which may be reached either by the elevator referred to or by an external spiral stairway.

My construction also enables me to provide centrally-arranged rooms on the larger or entertainment platforms, as toilet-rooms, smoking-rooms, sitting-rooms,&c. as may be found most expedient.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of my improved open-air amusement device; Fig. 2, a central vertical section thereof on plane of line 2 2, Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a plan of the rotatable table or base upon which the observatory platfo'rms are supported, taken upon plane of line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is ahorizontal section, partly broken away, upon plane of line 4 i, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar view on plane of line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section upon plane of line 6 6, Fig. 1.

B represents the stationary base resting on the foundation F and formed with the annular landing-platform 1) (shown clearly in Fig. 4c) and with the steps 1/, leading thereto. The landing-platform is also provided with a suitable railing 71 Piers l P, resting on the foundation F, support an annular raceway R, formed with the groove 1* for the reception of the rollers a, mounted on the antifrictionring hearing A. The rollers a also engage with a groove g in the inverted annular raceway G, secured to the under side of the radial frame H, which with its superstructure is thus mainly supported upon the piers P P through the medium of the raceways R and Gr and rollers a, the ring A spacing and maintaining the alinement of the said rollers so that they rotate freely between the opposed surfaces with which they are in contact and reduce frictional resistance to the minimum.

The first platform D is secured to the upper side of the radial frame H, as are also the succeeding upper platforms 1) D D through. the medium of the uprights (Z (Z. The radial frame H is also formed with a central hollow cylindrical hub g, projecting downward from its under side and having secured to its lower extremity the large driving-pulley E, formed with the groove 0 for the reception of the driving-belt d, actuated by any suitable motor. In fact, in this connection it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to any special means for effecting the rotation of the radial frame H and its siu'ierstructures, since it is obvious that any suitable mechanical expedient may be utilized for the purpose with like result. The hub g fits over a central stationary vertical standard or axle I, resting upon and secured to the foundation F. Rollers vi '11 are mounted upon the upper end of this axle-standard to afford a central support (indirectly through the first platform D, as shown, but directly, if preferred) for the radial frame H, which is still further supported and centralized against lateral the placement by means of horizontal rollers (2 mounted, for instance, on the driving-pulley E and bearing against the cylindrical surface of the axial standard I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The under side of the drivingwheel E is supported by rollers e a", which also indirectly through the hub g and radial frame H aid in the support of the rotary observatory as a whole. points of support for the rotatable structure are antifrictional in character, so that smoothness of motion is assured with economy of motive force.

A shaft J extends centrally through the plat-forms I), D D, and D" and may be utilized to accommodate elevating-tackle, &c., for passenger-elevators contained in elevatorshafts K K and for other purposes, as the concealment of water and drain pipes, electric wires, &c., in which case the axial standardI is preferably made hollow, as shown, to facilitate the making of underground connections. The spaces L L around the shaft J may be utilized in the formation of toilet, waiting, and similar rooms or compartments for the convenience of visitors or for the housing of machinery and appliances which it may be found desirable to mount or carry upon the rotatable portion of the apparatus. Stairways M M on either side of the compartments L afford means of communication between the several fioors D, D D, and D" to those who do not choose to patronize the elevators K.

Any desired plural number of superposed broad platforms D DD D may be built onto the superstructure without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention. Above the uppermost, D*, is a balcony N, reached by stairs a a, and from the floor of this balcony projects the tower T, surrounded by a spiral stairway a, giving access to the observatory O for those who desire the novelty of ascent by such means, while for those who prefer to ascend or descend through the tower T an elevator 2f is provided therein, as shown in Fig. 2.

The upper side of the drive-pulley E constitutes or is formed with a receiving-floor 6* for communication with the landing-platform b, and a stairway S connects said receivingfioor (5 with the first platform D.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, means of communication between the same, a rotatable support on which said platforms are carried, said support having a hollow hub, and means on said hub for rotating said support and platforms.

2. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, a rotatable support on which said platforms are carried, said support It will thus be seen that all I having a hollow hub, and means on said hub for rotating the said support and platforms, a central tower projecting above the platforms and formed with one or more balconies, and means of communication between said superposed platforms and balcony or balconies.

3. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, means of communication between the same, a rotatable support on which said platforms are carried, said support having a hollow hub, and means on said hub for rotating said support and platforms, and antifriction devices for supporting said support.

4. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, a rotatable support on which said platforms are carried, said support having a hollow hub, means on said hub for rotating the said support and platforms, and a central hollow shaft extending through said platforms.

5. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, a rotatable support on which said platforms are carried, said support having a hollow hub, means on said hub for rotating the said support and platforms, and a central hollow shaft extending through said platforms, and compartments formed around said hollow shaft.

6. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, means of communication between the same, means for rotating the same, a central tower projecting above the said superposed platforms and formed with an observatory at or near its upper extremity, an external spiral staircase on said tower and an elevator within said tower for the purpose set forth.

7. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms, mounted upon a rotatable frame upon which the lowermost platform rests, an antifriction-ring and rollers interposed between said rotatable frame and its supports, said frame having a hollow hub and means secured to the said hollow hub for rotating said frame, for the purpose described.

8. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposedplatforms mounted upon a rotatable frame, means for rotating said frame, a receiving-platform on said frame, means of communication between said receiving-platform and the platform above, a centrally-disposed tower, and an elevator within said tower and a stationary annular landing arranged in conjunction with said receiving-platform, for

the purpose and substantially in the manner.

described.

9. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms mounted upona rotatable frame, and resting on antifrictiorrrollers, said antifriction-rollers, means for rotating said frame and stairs carried by the rotating means, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

10. In amusement devices of the character designated, the combination of a plurality of superposed platforms mounted upon a rotatable frame resting on antifriction -rollers, means for rotating said frame, an axial standard within said frame and horizontal rollers on said frame arranged to bear against said axial standard, for the purpose of centralizing the frame and preventing lateral displacement, substantially as set forth.

11. In amusement devices of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of superposed platforms mounted on said frame, an axial standard, horizontal and vertical antifriction rollers bearing thereon, a depending hollow hub inclosing said standard, and a drive-pulley on said hub.

12. In amusement devices of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of superposed platforms mounted on said frame, an axial standard, horizontal and vertical antifrictionrollers bearing thereon, a depending hollow hub, a drive-pulley thereon, an axial tubular shaft extending through the platform, a tower extending above the upper platforms, and elevating-tackle arranged in said hollow shaft and constructed to actuate an elevator.

13. In amusement devices of the character described, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of platforms superposed as described and mounted on said frame, an axial standard, horizontal and vertical antifrictionrollers bearing thereagainst, a depending hollow hub encircling the said standard, a drivepulley on said hub, and a receiving-floor on the upper face of the drive-pulley.

JOHN VESLEY UORLEY. l Vitnesses:

D. W. (irARDNuR, GEO. WM. l\lIA'l"l. 

